National Board D’var Torah: Parshat Emor!

Posted on May 20, 2016

Shanee Markovitz, National Ambassador of Education, Southern NCSY

In the Haftorah for Parashat Emor, the Jewish people are reminded that the Kohanim are not given a part of Israel because “God is their possession”. This seems like an oxymoron. On one hand, Kohanim are considered the top of the holiness chart, and serve as role models and characters to aspire to be like. Shouldn’t they merit to receive a large portion of the holy land? Furthermore, Emor details all of the many restrictions that Kohanim encounter (not marrying a divorced woman, not coming in contact with a dead body, etc). Isn’t that enough? Why also deprive them of a piece of the holy land? I believe that this serves as a model for the Jewish people today. Responsibilities are diverse and well-spread. There will always have to be people in the community who finance the synagogues and day school. There will always be the need for those who guide us spiritually, for those who guide us emotionally, and for those who guide us politically. Yes, each person should have some sort of a balance of characteristics, but the reality is that people have different traits and different levels of abilities. Instead of mocking the Kohanim, who do not receive a piece of Israel, the Jewish people praise them for their many sacrifices and for their holy work. How much different would our world look like, if instead of condemning individuals for their shortcomings and differences, as a community we utilize each person’s specific advantages and uniqueness? How would our nation look if each human being was put on a pedestal for what he or she CAN do for the Jewish people instead of looked down upon for the things they are still lacking? If we strive to attain this level of interdependence and positive inclusivity, we can also push each other to achieve our full potentials as people- spiritually and emotionally- and as a nation- United, striving for improvement, and serving as role models in this world.